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Spotlight on: OLB Aldon Smith. Since his 14-sack rookie season, Smith has been arrested for DUI, suffered minor stab wounds at a party at his house and missed the final three exhibition games after injuring his hip in the preseason opener. Presumably back at full strength, Smith hopes to put the adversity of the past seven months behind him and pick up where he left off in 2011. A pass-rush specialist last year, he’s now an every-down outside linebacker and there won’t be much of a safety net behind him Sunday. Parys Haralson is out for the season with a torn triceps; his replacement, Clark Haggans, is still getting up to speed after arriving a week ago. The 49ers hope to pressure Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers with just four rushers, and Smith’s ability to handle unproven Packers left tackle Marshall Newhouse will be a key matchup.

Injury notes: 49ers – RB Brandon Jacobs (knee) and WR Ted Ginn (ankle) are questionable and are unlikely to play after not practicing last week. Kyle Williams will handle punt returns and Kendall Hunter will likely return kickoffs in Ginn’s absence. Packers – RB James Starks (toe) is out, which clears the backfield stage for Cedric Benson, who was signed this summer. Benson has three straight 1,000-yard seasons.

Big 3

– 49ers QB Alex Smith hasn’t thrown an interception in 159 consecutive pass attempts and is closing in on Steve Young’s franchise record (184). The Packers led the NFL with 31 interceptions in 2011 and have ranked among the top six in the league in the category in every season since 2006.

– In two career starts against San Francisco, Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers has completed 53 of 75 passes for 642 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions (118.9 rating).

– Packers WR Jordy Nelson caught 73.7 percent of the passes (68 of 93) on which he was targeted last year, according to Pro Football Focus. Nelson ranked fourth in the category among receivers with over 50 targets. Nelson also ranked eighth in yards after catch (429).